Indian Climate · Knowledge Centre
By Rohan Shah, SOISU Furniture · 30 May 2026
Direct Answer
Air conditioning affects Indian furniture in ways that many buyers do not anticipate. AC units remove moisture from air along with heat — in Indian rooms with AC running below 20 degrees C, relative humidity can drop to 25-30% RH, creating conditions similar to desert air. This low humidity cracks leather (causing flaking and stiffness) and dries out wood (causing joint shrinkage and squeaking). For furniture preservation, maintain AC rooms at 22-25 degrees C rather than lower, and target 40-60% relative humidity. A combination of AC and a cool mist humidifier in the same room maintains temperature while preserving adequate humidity for furniture. Monthly leather conditioning is essential in AC-heavy Indian rooms. Teak furniture in AC rooms should be oiled every 6 months rather than annually.
AC rooms below 18 degrees C create conditions drier than Delhi winter which crack leather and dry out wooden furniture. Indian buyers need to understand this because the conditions furniture faces in India — monsoon humidity 70-90% RH, summer heat 38-45 degrees C, multi-user household patterns, and Indian lifestyle habits including cooking proximity and floor-sitting traditions — differ significantly from European or American standards.
Ideal AC temperature for furniture preservation in India is 22-25 degrees C maintaining 40-60% relative humidity. When shopping for furniture in India, use this knowledge to evaluate claims critically, request supporting documentation, and make decisions based on the specific conditions of your Indian home rather than generalised advice designed for very different climates.
SOISU furniture is designed for Indian conditions — Italian design discipline, built for how India lives. WhatsApp us during showroom hours and we reply within the hour.